The connection between Lidice and Cwmgiedd can be found under the following link.
Opposite the mentioned shop we solemnly unveiled the already planted daughter of the Lidice Pear Tree, it is the eighth sapling planted under the Citizens Association of Lidice's project “Messenger of Hope”, however it is the first one planted abroad.
A welcome speech was given by Mr John Owens, Treasurer of the Ystradgynlais District Heritage and Language Society, then Arwel Michael, the Chairman of the mentioned society, talked about the connection between Lidice and Cwmgiedd.
My task then was to explain the legacy of the Lidice Pear Tree and to unveil the sapling.
Mr Huw Williams, Powys County Councillor then talked about the importance of international friendship and Mr Aneirin Davies, Chairman of the Ystradgynlais town council concluded the ceremony with his speech.
The weather was kind to us and over fifty people attended, amongst which there were some who participated in the film “Silent Village”, for instance Ms Anita Herbert and sisters Megan Alexander and Cynthia Mullen. Mr Arwel Michael also took part in the film as a small child at that time.
After
a fourteen year gap I had the pleasure to meet again with former head master
of Cynlais school Mr. Ogwyn Phillips and former deputy head teacher Ms
Jennifer Davies.
In the
intervening period the school had closed and the beautiful mural with the
theme of Lidice and Cwmgiedd made by its pupils had been relocated to the
Miners Welfare Hall in Ystradgynlais with a help of the Ystradgynlais District
Heritage and Language Society.
And to the Miners Welfare Hall is where we all went to talk after the pear tree ceremony had finished.
The film
“Silent Village” was also screened there, local inhabitants keep reminding
themselves of the Lidice tragedy and also they remember their ancestors
and their own youth.
There
was deafening silence in the hall during the part which imitates the village
being razed to ground and quite a few eyes filled up with tears.
Silent
Village is still very a current and moving topic. even after seventy three
years.
I then
spoke individually to all present in order to hand out the commemorative
cards with the current picture of the Lidice Pear Tree.
Apart
from greetings from the Citizens Association of Lidice, I presented both
books about Lidice written by E. Stehlík, post cards of the Lidice Pear
Tree with English text and a DVD of the film “If I were a boy, I would
not survive” to the Ystradgynlais District Heritage and Language Society.
The above
named society, amongst other projects has contributed to the placement
of five information boards around Cwmgiedd, describing local history. One
of them, which explains the connection between Lidice and South Wales,
is located right next to the newly planted pear tree sapling.
It is
very pleasing how the people of Cwmgiedd and its surrounding area keep
the history of Lidice alive, and their unflagging interest in this topic
and compassion with the survivors of the tragedy.
I received
a very warm welcome from everyone, and it was an honour for me to take
part in such significant international meeting with incredibly kind and
selfless people.
I was
asked to pass on their hearty greetings to all of Lidice’s citizens and
am therefore doing so.
We have
many friends and supporters in South Wales, in the village named Cwmgiedd
and its surrounding area.
I would like to especially thank Arwel, his wife Pat, and their family for help with transport, the planting of the pear tree, and providing me with very comfortable accommodation, and thanks also to their friends Bethan and Darrell who made me feel very welcome too.
